"Birthdays, called puttina roju, were celebrated for small children when
the parents could afford a new dress and about fifty rupees for a
plateful of 25p or 50p toffees for distribution. The child would go to
the temple, and then go with a mother or with another tiny elder sibling
from home to home and distribute toffees. The people would wish the
child, or bless it. The child would feel very happy. There was no
concept of getting gifts. The children
who were unable to distribute the sweets as their parents could not
afford them would feel a little bad.
In recent years birthdays are beginning to become events. In some
cases, a cake is ordered, and balloons are festooned. The cake is cut
and bits are given to the guests to bite into and to offer back to the
birthday child to bite. A balloon filled with flower petals is hung over
the cake. It is popped and flower petals shower over the birthday
child. This is TV inspired, and inspired by accounts of relatives in
cities. This is on its way of becoming a much desired function for
children, and a few parents attempt to perform it for the child at least
once! Now there will begin to be haves and havenots among children !"
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